Hong Kong's role as China's global financial center highlighted
Hong Kong Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Julia Leung said Hong Kong has a unique role in helping U.S.-based financial-services businesses grow in China and the rest of Asia.

Speaking March 1 to an audience of more than 200 senior financial-services executives at the opening of the New York conference "Hong Kong: China's Global Financial Centre," Ms. Leung outlined the synergies between Hong Kong and New York, including economic freedom, flow of capital and information, leadership in equities fund raising and preeminent roles as international financial centers.

Foreign direct investment
rebounds sharply
The 2010 full-year foreign direct investment (FDI) figures for Hong Kong saw a sharp increase of 32% year-on-year, registering a record FDI inflow of HK$535.3 billion (US$68.6 billion).

Hong Kong's FDI stock valued at the end of 2010 reached HK$8.5 trillion (US$1.08 trillion), also representing a significant increase of 17.5% year-on-year, underscoring Hong Kong's continued ability to attract FDI and reinforce its status as one of the world's top FDI destinations.

Commissioner forges ties
in North Carolina
Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Donald Tong met business leaders March 23-24 while visiting North Carolina.

In Raleigh, the commissioner called on North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco and Don Hobart, the governor's senior advisor for business and economic affairs, to update them on the latest economic performances in Hong Kong. He also briefed them about the territory's leading position as an offshore renminbi center.

Mr. Tong then visited the Research Triangle Region to understand how public-private partnerships help businesses and communities in the area.